Winter War Trenches: Along the Raate Road, Suomussalmi, Finland

On our recent pilgrimage to Finland, my daughter and I visited these trench-works along the Raate Road near Suomussalmi, a reconstructed element of Finland's Winter War (1939-40) with the USSR. These trenches were initially overrun by the Soviets, then retaken by the Finns as they decimated the under-prepared and ill-equipped Red Army troops in what is often referred to as a "frozen hell" of "white death."

[bige]

All my respect and honor to the heroes of Finland of that time, which was virtually every Finn, they did what was required of them and beyond in order to save their independence and that of generations to come. I owe a debt to them for which I can never repay, that is the privilege of being born in free country, and it has made all the difference in my life!

[ClanGunnBushcraft]

Can't even imagine the horrors our grandparents had to endure. I bet if them trenches could talk, they'd have a few tails to tell. Great video brother. Very interesting.
Cheers,
Andy

[caky]

I asked my daughter (15 yo) what would we do during vacation. She said she'd like to visit Raate road. We visited there earlier and she liked it. She's interested in history.
We talked a lot about what our ancestors had to go through during the war.

[DRAUSSENsein]

_A very interesting story with very good background information, many thanks for the times and best regards, Angela_

[thetopicala]

On the Raattentie road finnish very small groups succeeded very well with foiling of huge russian, enemy attacks! Finns used special tactics of motti fighting 👍🏻 Wish you great week! Going to desert out of the reach of the phone right now.👋🏻 Osmo

[WyeExplorer]

That is narrow Jeff. And there's nobody there. Back then there would have been tail backs of people, munitions being moved around, food and other stores constantly. Let's not forget it would have been wet and miserable a lot of the time. What price freedom? A big one. I take my hat off to those who fight tyranny then and now. Great walk about. All the best. Mark

[kissakala]

Amazing video! I've been to these trenches and it's cool to see them again

[LonelyPlanetTraveler]

Hi! I am really overwhelmed by these history... could you tell me where is the place exactly in Suomossalmi if i want to pay a visit?

[potatothorn]

being crammed in there thru winter, while fighting a WAR ... just /wow.

[stevenbaumann]

Sweet! I can't believe how narrow they are.

[ossie]

Just digging the trenches in that rocky ground must have been brutal. One of the better movies made showing trench warfare was "Gallipoli" with a young Mel Gibson. It also showed the senseless/madness of war. It is unbelievable what is going on now with North Korea! Thank's for the video Jeff! Sincerely, Ossie

[thefitfrench]

So much history and struggle in these trench-works. Thanks for sharing the video and the description was very interesting as well :) I just subbed (#141) to your channel and will come back for more! Have a good day and it would be great to have your feedback on my channel some day :) Cheers!

[pulakmaz]

True facts on Karelia instead of propaganda::: A clean example of why certain wars are bound to happen in certain scenarios. Human beings are bound to lose lives, in the past, present and future, in wars. This winter war and continuation war was necessary or unnecessary depending on which side you support. Sweden as a kingdom had in earlier centuries conquered all of Finland and one province of Russia kingdom::: the Russian province (state) of Karelia which starts on the suburban outskirts of Saint Petersburg. . When Sweden gave independence to Finland, Sweden gave conquered Karelia province to newly independent Finland. Actually on maps imperial Sweden had already started drawing the maps of Karelia into the maps of Finland even before Sweden gave independence to Finland. Why should Finland give Karelia to Russia unless there is a war. This meant war:: There was a war. Next a war was bound to happen, as Finland will say Karelia belongs to them. Soviets created tiny north Karelia to give to Finland out of the bigger Karelia and tiny west Karelia, which they gave to Finland for the small Finnish population of Karelia. Soviets kept the bigger bulk of the rest of Karelia province likely after the Continuation war.